��������

What if I am out of the country during the enrollment period with no secure internet connection? 
If you will be out of the country during the Annual Enrollment period, you can complete and submit the change paperwork before leaving the country, even if that means submitting it before the Annual Enrollment period begins. Visit the Annual Enrollment webpage to access the form and other information.

I turn 65 soon. When should I contact the university about moving from non-Medicare coverage to a Medicare Advantage and what is the process?
In order to transition to the University Medicare Advantage Plan, apply for Medicare no earlier than three months before your eligibility date. The application process can be completed through your local Social Security office or online. University Medicare Advantage plans include enrollment in an eligible Part D prescription plan, so only enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.

As you approach your enrollment date, the university will only send you information regarding Medicare Advantage plan enrollment. That packet will include an enrollment form you will need to return to us, along with a copy of your Medicare card. You can get more details on the Medicare website.

I want to cancel life insurance for my spouse and/or myself. What do I need to do and by when? 
You can cancel life insurance coverage at any point. In fact, you may reduce or cancel any coverage, including medical, at any time during the year and are not limited to retiree Annual Enrollment. If coverage is reduced or cancelled, it cannot be reinstated at a later date. To do so, just complete the Retiree Benefits Change Form (PDF).

If I drop down from the Enhanced plan to the Base plan, would I be able to go back to the Enhanced plan again next year?
Yes, you would have the option of selecting the Medicare Advantage Enhanced Plan again in the future, but only during the Annual Enrollment period.

If a non-Medicare eligible spouse turns 65 mid-year, how does that affect premiums? 
Premiums will be adjusted based on which Medicare Advantage plan is selected, Base or Enhanced (Buy-Up Plan). The HR Service Center can help determine what your new premium will be upon turning age 65.  

What happens if you return to work part-time?
Retirees who are rehired in a part-time position at the university and receive retiree insurance from the university (i.e. medical, dental, vision, etc.) and wish to continue their enrollment in these plans are advised to work no more than a .74 full-time equivalency (FTE) in all concurrent jobs.

Exceeding this FTE will result in loss of eligibility for retiree insurance benefits and being offered active medical plan coverage only (see Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act). Worked hours for rehired retirees will be tracked using the same methods as for other employees.

Retirees should contact their campus HR Generalist with any questions.

How do I access myHR?
For step-by step instructions on accessing information, visit the myHR Training resources for retirees.

Will we have a new vendor in 2025?
The University will not have a new vendor in 2025. Insurance carriers for medical, dental, vision, life and accidental death and dismemberment plans are the same as in 2024.

What types of facilities are in-network with UnitedHealthcare?
UnitedHealthcare’s network includes general care clinics, urgent care clinics, medical and surgical hospitals, emergency rooms, specialty centers like those that provide dialysis, skilled nursing and physical therapy services, labs, medical suppliers and more. You can review all in-network providers through UnitedHealthcare websites:

• Medicare Advantage Base and Enhanced plans:
• Retiree Healthy Savings and Retiree Health PPO:

When will I receive information on my premiums for 2025? 
All retirees will receive a letter from the university to their mailing address that provides information on the plans available to them as well as their personalized premiums and additional information on the Annual Enrollment period. If you have not received your letter by mid-October, contact the HR Service Center to request a copy.

Do retirees call the HR Service Center or UnitedHealthcare for benefits questions?
Retirees can call the HR Service Center for information about the Annual Enrollment period or plan eligibility. For information on specific health plans offered by UnitedHealthcare, retirees can reach out to UnitedHealthcare directly using the customer service phone number on the back of their insurance card.

How does the university determine what premiums will be year-to-year? 
The landscape of health insurance is constantly changing. Each year, the university evaluates plans and works with our providers as well as the (TRAC) and the UM System Office of Finance to keep premium increases lower than they otherwise would be. In addition, we conduct regular, competitive bids to ensure we’re providing high-quality plans at manageable costs.

What coverage do I have or can I get for an ambulance to return me to my local hospital?
All retiree medical insurance plan options through the university have a broad, nationwide network of providers, including for emergency and non-emergency ambulance services.

Retirees can reach out to UnitedHealthcare to discuss available options related to their specific case and medical insurance plan and learn more about in-network providers nearby through UnitedHealthcare websites:

• Medicare Advantage Base and Enhanced plans:
• Retiree Healthy Savings and Retiree Health PPO:

Will my coverage change if I move?
In general, your medical insurance coverage will stay the same regardless of where you live in the United States. The biggest difference will be that healthcare providers in your area will be different. Learn more about in-network providers near you through UnitedHealthcare websites:

• Medicare Advantage Base and Enhanced plans:
• Retiree Healthy Savings and Retiree Health PPO:

If I am Medicare-eligible, do I need to be enrolled in a University plan to provide coverage for my non-Medicare eligible dependents through the University?
All medical plan options include self-coverage. A retiree would need to be enrolled in a University plan to provide coverage for eligible dependents.

How can non-Medicare retirees identify the best value across providers?
The cost of care is dependent on provider, the services provided and may also vary based on how the services are billed by the provider. UnitedHealthcare can help you check cost estimates before you choose where to get care so you can save on health care costs. Sign in on to get personalized cost estimates and see how much you can expect to pay for your specific plan and specific in-network providers.

What are the medical plan design changes to the non-Medicare retiree plans in 2025? 
For the Retiree Health PPO Plan, enrollees will see increases to deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for both in-network and out-of-network expenses as outlined below. See the Retiree Health PPO Plan webpage for full plan information. 

For the Retiree Healthy Savings Plan, enrollees will see increases to deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for both in-network and out-of-network expenses as outlined below.  See the Retiree Healthy Savings Plan webpage for full plan information.

• Retiree Health PPO
  • Medical deductible:
    • In-network: $1,500/self*; $4,500/family*
    • Out-of-network:  $4,000/self*; $12,000/family*
  • Medical out-of-pocket limit:
    
    • In-network: $4,500/self*; $9,000/family*
    • Out-of-network**: $8,000 or more/self; $16,000 or more/family*
• Retiree Healthy Savings
  • Medical and Rx deductible (combined):
    • In-network: $2,100/self*; $4,200/family*
    • Out-of-network: $4,000/self*; $8,000/family*
  • Medical and Rx out-of-pocket limit (combined):
    
    • In-network: $5,000/self*; $10,000/family*
    • Out-of-network**: $8,000 or more/self; $16,000 or more/family*

What coverage do non-Medicare retirees have when travelling outside of the country?
Your medical plan covers services received outside the continental United States like it would while in the country, just at the out-of-network rate. The exception to this is for covered emergency services, which are covered at the in-network rate.

For retirees enrolled in a university life insurance plan, additional travel assistance services are provided through MetLife. Find informational brochures on the Life Insurance webpage.

How does the cap on insulin work? Do the Advantage Plans have the same cap as Medicare Part D?
The University’s Medicare Advantage plans utilize Medicare Part D coverage. The $35 cap on insulin is for all Part D covered insulin and is applied per prescription per month.

How are durable diabetic medical supplies, such as insulin pump supplies, covered?
For Medicare retirees when using one of the approved meters and supplies, your cost-share is a $0 copay.  To switch to one of the preferred brands, you may be required to get a new prescription from your doctor.

For non-Medicare retirees in the Retiree Health PPO Plan members may obtain diabetic durable medical supplies through their medical insurance at no cost.  For non-Medicare retirees in the Healthy Savings Plan, members will be subject to the applicable plan deductible and co-insurance costs.

Visit the Coverage for diabetes webpage to learn more.

Why does my 30-day supply of a generic drug cost more than if I bought directly from a commercial pharmacy?
The cost of prescriptions is typically determined by the manufacturer of the prescriptions. To help keep Part D prescription prices as low as possible for the university and plan members, UnitedHealthcare negotiates guaranteed discounts with retail pharmacies and provides discounts through their own mail order process.

What is the out of pocket maximum for prescriptions?
The prescription out-of-pocket maximums vary by plan:

• Retiree Healthy Savings Plan: (Combined medical/Rx  out of pocket limit) $5,000/self*; $10,000/family*
• Retiree Health PPO Plan: $3,800/self; $7,600/family
• Medicare Advantage Base Plan: $2,000
• Medicare Advantage Enhanced Plan: $2,000

See the individual plan page for each plan option to learn more.

What travel coverage is offered through Medicare when traveling internationally? 
Both the Medicare Base and Enhanced plans include a $200,000 lifetime maximum travel